Goth Glamour: Decorative Skulls

Maybe it's the clamor for all things Alexander McQueen since the Savage Beauty exhibit. Maybe it's the dark mood about the economy. Maybe it's a reaction to the twee trends of the past few years. Whatever the reason, skulls abound lately in both fashion and home design. If you've been looking to add a bit of goth chic to your home, now's the time — between their popularity and Halloween's imminence, skull decor is readily available.

If you think skulls are too punk or goth for you, you may need to reconsider. From glittery bookends to modern chairs, they're on the way to becoming a design classic. Even mainstream retailers like Nieman Marcus now stock skull decor, and you can find plenty of vintage skull items on 1stDibs and Ebay. Buy one now, wait until Halloween passes, and set it out for some nonchalant drama.

Skulls cascade across wallpaper that would be perfect in a cozy library. $155 at Graham and Brown.

Glittery, oversized skulls can add a bit of glitz to a tablescape. $9.99 (originally $19) at West Elm.

A set of mini skull candles are an unexpected, on-trend hostess gift. $35 at Unica Home.

Damien Hirst's famous Diamond Skull stares out from a signed coffee table book about its history. $335 at Amazon.

Pool's creepy, modern "Remember That You Will Die" stacking chair was designed for for Milan Design Week 2011. (Not yet on the market.)

Printed cotton towels for Halloween that could work easily throughout the year. $20 for four at AlwaysCoco's Etsy.

Place this skull on that modern, neutral-hued dresser you just bought for a dose of color. $50 at Nieman Marcus.

A miniature skull perches on a mantel-ready candle snuffer. $35 at Barneys.

1970's-era lucite skulls can turn that stack of untended books in your living room into a chic statement. Available at 1stDibs.

Update your bed by adding these skull-and-crossbone sheets. $69-$129 at Sin In Linen.